Agent Disappears, INEC Staff Shot as Obaseki Inches Close to Victory

Matilda Omonaiye/

Electoral officers have reported that a staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was shot by unknown gunmen yesterday and declared a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent and a collation officer for Orhionwon missing as results are being announced today.

In results so far announced, PDP has won 13 out of the 18 local government areas.

Raising an observation at the collating centre in Benin City, the returning officer for PDP complained that the party’s agent who came in with a result sheet before the Electoral Body went on a one-hour recess had disappeared with a collation officer.

The Electoral Body also learnt that an INEC staff shot by unknown gunmen is battling for life at a hospital. Another staff was reportedly injured in the face.

Results so far announced are: Igueben – APC 5199 PDP 7870, Esan North East – APC 6556 PDP 13579, Esan Central – APC 6719 PDP 10694, Ikpoba Okha – APC 18218 PDP 41030, Uhunmwonde – APC 5972 PDP 10022, Egor – APC 10202 PDP 27621, Owan East – APC 19295 PDP 14762, Owan West – APC 11193 PDP 11485, Esan South – APC 9237 PDP 10565, Ovia North – APC 9907 PDP 16987, Etsako West – APC 26140 PDP 17959, Esan South East – APC 9237 PDP 10563, Oredo – APC 18365 PDP 43498, Esan West – APC 7189 PDP 17434, Akoko Edo – APC 22,963 PDP 20101, Etsako Central – APC 8359 PDP 7478, Orhionmwon –APC 17,011 PDP 10,668.

The results were announced at the INEC’s collating center in Benin City, Edo State today.

Thousands of votes were cancelled at various units for what INEC officials called over-voting and ballot box snatching. NewsmakersNG learnt that a suspected ballot box snatcher was killed by a mob at Unit 13, Ward 6, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo North.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has commended INEC and expressed satisfaction with the polls as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Adeleye Oyebade who is coordinating the security operations urged the people of Edo State to remain calm and sustain the peace so far achieved.

Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal also expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election. He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and INEC for making the exercise peaceful, free and fair.